Guitarist Geoff Thrope is a man with huge perseverance. Late seventies he already formed Vicious Rumors and their debut album ‘Soldiers Of The Night’ (1986) and especially ‘Digital Dictator’ (1988) can be considered as beloved issues from the eighties. I dare to say that the new ‘Razorback Killers’ easily equals the qualities of ‘Digital Dictator’, by far the most popular album of the American band in which Helstar’s Jack Rivera used to play guitar on previous album ‘Warball’.

It has been silent around Vicious Rumors for five years, but now metal veterans Geoff Thorpe and drummer Larry Howe are back. With once again a new singer. His name is Brian Allen (of Malice fame) and he was recommended to Geoff by his good friend Matt McCourt of Wild Dogs. That appears to be a man with a proper vision, since Brian is doing a magnificent job: a powerful vocalist, engrossing in lower and higher ranges. Once again Vicious Rumors succeeded in engaging a couple of remarkable guest musicians to fuel the fire. In the banging opener ‘Murderball’ (they have made a video clip for it), Testament’s Eric Peterson plays a marvellous guitar solo for instance. With some vigorous drum attacks, ‘Razorback Blade’ follows and the inciting ‘Black’ in which amazing guitar skills of Thorpe are grandly illustrated. This is pure heavy metal with eighties overtones, but never sounding dated! We can enjoy a guest solo of their former guitarist Mark McGee in ‘Bloodstained Sunday’. He knows how to combine energy and emotions in his beautiful guitar skills as well. As usual on every album, our leader also does lead vocals on two tracks. Consequently ‘All I Want Is You’ and the slightly slower ‘Let The Garden Burn’ are – lyric-wise – the most personal tracks. Finally we can enjoy a fast and furious guitar solo of Brad Gillis (Nightranger, Ozzy) in the occluding song ‘Deal With The Devil’. Without falling into nostalgic reverie, one can promptly say: Vicious Rumors are back with a bang!

Additional musicians and performances:Geoff Thorpe: lead vocals on ‘All I Want Is You’ and ‘Let The Garden Burn’Eric Peterson (Testament): harmony and lead solo on ‘Murderball’Mark McGee (ex-VR): lead and harmony solo on ‘Bloodstained Sunday’ & slide, lead and harmony solo on ‘Pearl Of Wisdom’Brad Gillis (Nightranger, Ozzy): lead solo on ‘Deal With The Devil’